Arnold takes on challenges at WCV

Thursday

Jan 9, 2014 at 12:53 AM

By Allison McNealEditor

When the West Central Valley superintendent position was posted in 2005, Dave Arnold knew he would be the right fit for the school district.

"The most interesting part of the position was the challenge, the potential for developing WCV’s facilities, programs, and working with a board that had the students as their primary focus were all key features that stimulated an intense interest for me, professionally," Arnold said. Along with serving 931 K-12 students, Arnold also is a K-5 principalship at the Dexter building and in charge of district transportation. A job that to some may be overwhelming, but to Arnold he says it is rewarding.

"The opportunity to be directly involved with students on a daily basis, work with the staff daily to resolve issues, and being able to actively participate in K-12 activities truly enhances my assignment," he said. Currently, the district is in the process of closing out the athletic complex construction project which was started several years ago.

According to Arnold, the existing complex at the time was partially owned by the city and the other half by the district. The board then investigated the costs of repairing the existing facility versus building a new facility and costs were comparable. After that conclusion, the board elected to utilize the remaining acres at the new high school site for the new complex.

The $6 million project includes new fields for softball and baseball, an extended practice and P.E. field, a full grass soccer practice field, state-of-the-art football/soccer turf field with an all-weather track, and a new shot put and discus area is also included in the project. In addition, state-of-the-art timing and reporting system for track and field events as well as a LED screen for the scoreboard, provided by the West Central Valley Booster Club, were also amenities to the project.

"The complex clearly indicates that our community supports our students and wants the best experience for them," he said. "The new complex completes the district’s facility improvement efforts, and hopefully, represents a positive image to not only our communities but to the people who visit our communities from time-to-time."

Arnold added the facility helps "increase our student’s pride for their district, their educational experience, and it may serve as personal motivation to do their individual best in every activity."

He hopes it will also increase attendance at soccer, track, baseball, and softball events. Football attendance has increased since this fall.

Other smaller projects the district has in the works include restrooms in the new bus barn and the re-grading of the high school’s frontage property.

Arnold said some discussion has centered on remodeling the middle school boy’s locker room – a project not included in the middle school remodeling project a few years back.

Looking forward to the New Year, Arnold said he will continue to "meet the challenges of the state required programs, the Teacher Leadership and Compensation process, and, of course, the ever-present No Child Left Behind goals."